Top customer reviews

Two favorite actors getting a chance to have fun and shoot guns. It seemed like they didn't have a script but they made up their own idea of a story. It was fun to watch Al Pacino and Christopher Walken flow through the plot like two guys being handed a old pair of shoes that felt good to them. The plot was mediocre but the actors brought some life to the story. Both actors clearly had a great time at the end. It was supposed to be a comedy, but it was not the one where you would fall on the floor laughing. It was one where there were chuckles and then fun just watching two masters work out a poor script. Both are excellent in just about anything and this was one of these "anythings". How can you NOT love Al Pacino?

If you like any of or all of the three main characters, then that is reason enough to watch this movie. I happen to like all three of these oft brilliant actors. While not particularly brilliant, in my opinion, in this movie, they deliver a quirky tale of comic redemption of three aging gangsters. Now, I use the definition of the word comic which some dictionaries idiotically, authoritarianly and incorrectly claim is obsolete. That definition is the definition of comedy: a theatrical or literary piece portraying the life of the common man. In contrast, tragedy is a theatrical or literary piece depicting the life and fate of the great and powerful. Comedy, therefore, contains funny or light hearted as well as dramatic moments. Tragedy, on the other hand, depicts only dramatic events, events which shape and ruin the lives of the great and powerful. So, this piece was a comedy. Common men who are gangsters, aging gangsters who comedically or comically go out with a bang. Thus, all three do this very well and the movie is worth watching if for no other reason than to see three great aging actors who are still making immensely watchable movies.

Three long time friends, friends for life, rich and poor, in and out, prison and freedom. Val, played by Al Pacino, is released from prison after 28 long years, after taking one for the boys, so to speak. At the gate to meet him him, is Doc, played by Christopher Walken. They hug and talk and take off in Doc's old car. They have dinner, drink, go to a 'cat house', where Val discovers he can't get it up. Off to a pharmacy where thy steal needed drugs and back to the cat house. A hidden agenda in all of this is that one man has been hired to kill the other. Their other good friend, Hirsch, is in an old folk's home. Off they go, steal him out of bed, away from his oxygen. Several incidents later, including a stolen hot car, police chase, fight with some real toughs, they end up back at one of Doc's favorite restaurants.

These guys have fun. They all understand they have limited time, and use it artfully. I want these guys to be part of my bucket list. Come on, guys, let's go have fun!

We all understand that much of this can only really occur in our fantasy. You can't take a man from his oxygen out for a night and expect him to keep on breathing. We run into several well known actors through out this night, so exciting. Lost daughters, new clothes, more food than you can ever imagine, and, three old guys, life Long friends. What else could you ever want?

While I am sure many would downplay the film because they might expect a film full of gunfire, explosions, and so on... You should walk into it with an open mind. It is not an "action" film, even though one might think that by the cast.

This film is about 3 old boys, going out one last night and doing what they used to do. One last night on the town, while the old bones can still hold up. While there is some action, some gun play. It is more about the relationship between the main characters; the show of respect, subtle emotions, and honor.

I know this short review cannot explain the film properly. So, I will end it quickly. But, if you enjoy Walken and Pacino. Not the characters they play, but the men themselves, and are curious to see how they play off each other. This is a great film to see. The way they feed each other's performance, the way their unique styles mesh, it is quite an interesting thing to see.

Rent it, if you are not sure. Buy it, if you understand what I was trying to say.

I found this movie while searching for a comedy. The description mentioned " . . . retired gangsters who reunite for one epic last night." These two facts gave me a completely different expectation from what the movie delivered.

We are asked to believe a major plot point that would only make sense if the movie was presented broadly, as a farce. But, it is played straight, and that removes most of the fun.

All the actors do a great job, so if you can get past the plot, you'll enjoy their performances.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie, although it's really Pacino and Walken's movie. Alan Arkin has such a small role I'm surprised he's included as one of the leads. Nevertheless this is a thoughtful, character-driven movie by two great actors in the twilight of their careers AND it's a carefully crafted script. I think you'll enjoy it!

I'd really love to give this movie and four and one half stars (but there's no half star). Very enjoyable movie...great actors, cute story line, yes, I said "cute", because it is and not believable. The portrayal of an ex-con (Al Pacino) who did time, without dropping a dime on the other conspirators, because he was/is a stand up guy! Christopher Walken depicts one of the "gang" that needs to do something he really doesn't want to do and shows a clever side...enough said, I don't want to spoil it for others who enjoys these actors, along with Alan Arkin and the others (too many to name). I really enjoyed this movie, didn't "love" it, but really enjoyed it.

OK. It's not my favorite film, but as a venue for these actors at this time in their lives and careers, it's about as good as it could get. Obviously great acting, good continuity and a story that falters slightly, but comes back together overall. I'd rather see these guys kick derriere than chew gum anytime.